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Questioning FAA Delay in Grounding Boeing 737 MAX 8 Airplanes

May 17, 2019

Enewsletters

Dear Friend,

This week, I questioned the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration about why it took so long for the United States to ground Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes after fatal crashes in October and March. I also announced that the Millington-Memphis Airport would be receiving $10 million to rehabilitate its runways; voted for strengthening health care and lowering prescription drug costs; introduced the Fair Access to Credit Scores Act; voted for the Equality Act; called for a judge to be held accountable for his racist and anti-Semitic social media posts; expressed concern about a White House meeting with Hungary’s dictatorial strong man; and offered health tips focusing on women. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see more updates as they happen.

On Wednesday, as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, I questioned acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Daniel Elwell about the agency’s delay in grounding Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes after two fatal crashes in October and March. See my release and my exchange with Elwell here.

Announcing $10 Million in Funding for Millington-Memphis Airport

The Millington region got an economic shot in the arm Wednesday when the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the Millington-Memphis Airport will be receiving $10 million to rehabilitate runways. See my release about it here.

Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs

On Thursday, I voted for, and the House passed H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Costs Act. This legislation lowers prescription drug prices and reverses the Trump Administration’s sabotage of the Affordable Care Act. See my release on the bill here.

Introducing the Fair Access to Credit Scores Act

Earlier today, I introduced the Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2019, which would provide a free and accurate credit score with the free annual credit reports that are already available to consumers through the Fair Credit Reporting Act. A good credit score means better interest rates on mortgages, bank loans and credit cards, smaller deposits for rent or utilities and even lower insurance premiums. See my release here.

Voting for the Equality Act

On Friday, I voted for, and the House passed, H.R. 5, the Equality Act. The bill amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, federal jury service, public accommodations and the use of federal funds. See my release here.

Calling for Consequences for Judge’s Racist and Anti-Semitic Posts

I am disturbed by Judge Jim Lammey’s racist and anti-Semitic social media posts and joined in the condemnation of them in a statement on Monday. See it here.

Expressing Concern as Trump Meets with Another Authoritarian Leader

President Trump met with dictatorial Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Oval Office, which is the first time a president has done so for more than 20 years. As a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the Helsinki Commission), I expressed my concerns that this meeting dignifies an authoritarian who is actively undermining democracy and cooperation with our NATO allies while abetting Russian interests in Ukraine. See the statement and my letter to Trump here.

Announcing Grants to Shelby County and three Memphis Arts Institutions

On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $278,099 grant to Shelby County for its Air Pollution Control program. Also Thursday, I announced that the National Endowment for the Arts will provide $65,000 in grants to three Memphis arts institutions. See my release on those grants here.

Sign Up for Congress on Your Corner and This Newsletter

I enjoy meeting regularly with constituents in the district and helping get answers for them to questions about dealing with federal agencies. If you are interested in attending one of my “Congress on Your Corner” events, you can sign up here to receive notification as soon as the next event is scheduled. My next “Congress on Your Corner” is Friday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Whitehaven Branch Library, 4120 Millbranch Road.

For those who haven’t participated in a telephone town hall, it’s easy to sign up for them by using this form.

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Weekly Health Tip

This week is National Women’s Health Week, and there are a multitude of ways to take steps toward better health. The Office on Women’s Health has a wealth of information of health conditions specific to women and guidance of staying healthy here.

Quote of the Week

“The power of the Congress to conduct investigations is inherent in the legislative process. That power is broad.” – Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Watkins v. United States (1957)